Tangerine Dream is a German electronic band established in 1969 by Edgar Froese (1944–2015). They emerged at the forefront of the Krautrock movement with the 1970 Ohr release Electronic Meditation, recorded by the original trio with Klaus Schulze and Conrad Schnitzler. Froese reconfigured the group with Christopher Franke and Steve Schroyder for their 1971 second […]
Kraftwerk are a German electronic group formed in Düsseldorf by Ralf Hütter and Florian Schneider, who steered the band from avant-garde krautrock to streamlined machine music. Their early albums (Kraftwerk, Kraftwerk 2, Ralf & Florian) fused analog electronics with flute, violin, and organ in longform instrumental passages. With Autobahn (1974), Kraftwerk embraced motorik rhythm and […]
Passport was a German jazz-rock ensemble led by saxophonist, keyboardist, and composer Klaus Doldinger, whose name appears prominently on select releases. Formed in 1971, the band emerged as Germany’s answer to Weather Report, blending electric jazz textures with tight, rhythmic interplay. Their 1972 album Second Passport established the core formula, followed by the landmark Cross-Collateral […]
Scorpions are a German hard-rock/metal band, best known for the songs “Loving You Sunday Morning,” “No One Like You,” “Still Loving You,” “Rock You Like a Hurricane,” and “Wind of Change.” Scorpions debuted with the 1972 album Lonesome Crow on Brain/Metronome. After a lineup overhaul, they released four studio albums on RCA Victor. They broke […]
Klaus Schulze (1947–2022) was a German keyboardist, percussionist, and producer who played in the initial lineups of Tangerine Dream and Ash Ra Tempel. In 1972, he debuted as a solo artist with the album Irrlicht on Ohr. Twelve further albums appeared between 1973 and 1980, mostly on Brain. Background Klaus Schulze was born on August […]
Amon Düül II was a German Krautrock band that released six studio albums and a live set on Liberty/UA between 1969 and 1973, followed by six further albums on NOVA/Telefunken between 1974 and 1981. They emerged from an art commune with the 1969 album Phallus Dei, a pioneering German underground release. Their 1970/71 double-albums Yeti […]
Eberhard Weber is a German double-bassist and composer with more than 300 backing credits since the early 1960s. In 1974, he debuted as a bandleader with The Colours of Chloë on ECM, which issued numerous Weber solo and collaborative titles, including two with vibraphonist Gary Burton. Background Eberhard Weber was born on January 22, 1940, […]
Schicke Führs Fröhling (SFF) were a German symphonic-rock band that released three albums on Brain between 1976 and 1979. After the departure of drummer/percussionist Eduard Schicke, the remaining two continued as Führs & Fröhling. Members: Eduard Schicke (drums, percussion, Moog, metallophone, xylophone), Gerd Führs (grand piano, electric piano, Moog, clavinet, Mellotron, ARP Solina string ensemble, […]
Popol Vuh was a German new age group led by Florian Fricke. They debuted as a trio with the 1971 Moog-based Affenstunde, followed by the Pilz titles In den Gärten Pharaos and Hosianna Mantra, which established their mix of wood instruments and nature sounds. Members: Florian Fricke (Moog synthesizer, organ, electric piano, piano, harpsichord, spinet, […]
Cluster was a German electronic/experimental combo from Berlin, formed in 1969 as a trio. After two albums under the name Kluster, founder Conrad Schnitzler launched a solo career. Drummer/keyboardist Moebius and cellist/keyboardist Hans-Joachim Roedelius continued as Cluster. They made two albums on Philips and the 1974 Brain release Zuckerzeit, followed by two albums as Harmonia […]
Nico (1938–1988) was a German singer, model, and actress who emerged as a co-vocalist in the Velvet Underground. After singing on their 1967 album The Velvet Underground & Nico, she went solo with that year’s Verve release Chelsea Girl. She jumped to Elektra for the 1968 avant-garde album The Marble Index, followed by the 1970 […]
Ash Ra Tempel was a German space-rock band that released four albums between 1971 and 1973 on Ohr. Guitarist/keyboardist Manuel Göttsching made a 1975 solo album then trimmed the name to Ashra for a late-Seventies run on Virgin Records. Members: Manuel Göttsching (guitar, vocals, electronics), Hartmut Enke (bass, guitar, electronics, 1970-73), Klaus Schulze (drums, steel […]
NEU! was a German experimental duo from Düsseldorf that released three albums on Brain between 1972 and 1975. Formed by ex-Kraftwerk members Michael Rother and Klaus Dinger, they pioneered the minimalist “motorik” rhythm and a layered, texture-based approach to rock. Their work bridged ambient abstraction and proto-punk force, presaging future post-punk, electronic, and art rock […]
Eloy is a German symphonic space-rock band formed in 1969 by guitarist Frank Bornemann. The original lineup with singer/keyboardist Erich Schriever made a 1971 hard-rock album on Philips. Bornemann reconfigured the group with the 1973/74 Harvest albums Inside and Floating, which established their Floydian identity. After their 1975 conceptual breakthrough Power and the Passion, Bornemann […]
Can was a German Krautrock band that debuted with the album Monster Movie on Music Factory in 1969. After the 1970 Liberty release Soundtracks, they signed to United Artists and released the 1971–74 albums Tago Mago, Ege Bamyası, Future Days, and Soon Over Babaluma. They moved to Virgin for the 1975–77 albums Landed, Flow Motion, […]
Joachim Kühn (born March 15, 1944) is a German pianist who appeared on more than 400 recordings across six decades. During the 1970s, he released multiple jazz-funk albums on MPS/BASF and Atlantic. After early work with his older brother Rolf Kühn, Joachim debuted with the 1968 Impulse! release Impressions of New York. He collaborated with […]
Release Music Orchestra was a German jazz-rock ensemble active from the mid-to-late 1970s. Formed from the remnants of Tomorrow’s Gift, they fused electric jazz textures with chamber elements, percussion motifs, and tonal improvisation. The band released five albums on Brain between 1974 and 1979, each with shifting personnel and stylistic emphasis. Keyboardist Manfred Rürup led […]
Birth Control are a German hard-rock band that released eleven studio albums and two live LPs between 1970 and 1982. Members: Bernd Koschmidder (bass, 1966-73), Reinhold Sobotta (keyboards, 1966-72), Rolf Gurra [Rolly Joker] (saxophone, vocals, 1966-69), Reiner Borchert (guitar, 1966-69), Hugo Egon Balder (drums, 1966-68), Klaus Orso (guitar, 1966-68), Fritz Gröger (lead vocals, guitar, 1968-69), […]
Sahara was a German symphonic-rock band that evolved from Subject ESQ. As Sahara, they made the 1974 album Sunrise, followed by the 1976 Ariola release For All the Clowns. Members: Hennes Hering (keyboards), Michael Hofmann (flute, woodwinds, Moog, Mellotron, vocals), Alex Pittwohn (harmonica, tenor saxophone, vocals), Harry Rosenkind (drums, percussion), Stefan Wissnet (bass, vocals), Nick […]
Xmal Deutschland was a German goth-rock band fronted by songwriter Anja Huwe. They cut two 1981/82 Zickzack EPs and the 1983/84 4AD albums Fetisch and Tocsin, followed by the 1987–89 discs Viva and Devils. Members: Anja Huwe (vocals), Manuela Rickers (guitar, 1980-87), Fiona Sangster (keyboards, 1980-87), Caro May (drums, 1980-82), Rita Simonsen (bass, 1980), Wolfgang […]
Nina Hagen is a German singer and media personality who made two late-Seventies bandleader albums and scored a European hit with “African Reggae.” She gained international cult renown with her 1982–85 CBS albums Nunsexmonkrock, Angstlos, In Ekstase, and the hits “New York / N.Y.” and “Universelles Radio.” Background She was born Catherine Hagen on March […]
Missus Beastly was a German jazz-rock band that released a self-titled album on CPM in 1970. After a period of activity that saw a group of imposters parrot the nameplate, the band reconvened for three albums on NOVA, April, and Schneeball between 1974 and 1978. Members: Lutz Oldemeier (drums, 1968-75), Atzen Wehmeyer (guitar, vocals, 1968-70), […]
Association P.C. was a Dutch/German avant-garde jazz-rock ensemble that released five albums between 1970 and 1974 on the MPS, Munich, and Corona labels. Members: Pierre Courbois (drums, percussion), Toto Blanke (guitar, ring modulator, nagoya harp), Jasper van’t Hof (electric piano, 1969-73), Peter Krijnen (bass, 1969-70), Sigi Busch (bass, 1970-75), Heiner Wiberny (tenor saxophone, basset horn, […]
Lucifer’s Friend was a German hard-rock band that evolved from Asterix with a 1970 Philips debut. Fronted by singer John Lawton, Lucifer’s Friend made the 1972–76 Vertigo albums Where the Groupies Killed the Blues, I’m Just a Rock ‘n’ Roll Singer, Banquet, and Mind Exploding. Mike Starrs fronted the 1978–80 Elektra titles Good Time Warrior and […]
Propaganda was the German synthpop band behind the 1984 EP Present the Nine Lives of Dr. Mabuse and the 1985 album A Secret Wish on Trevor Horn’s ZTT label. Their second proper album, 1234, appeared in 1990 on Island. Members: Andreas Thein (keyboards, 1982-84), Ralf Dörper (keyboards), Susanne Freytag (keyboards, vocals), Claudia Brücken (vocals, 1983-86), […]
Xhol Caravan was a psychedelic German jazz-rock band that originated as Soul Caravan. In 1969, they released the pioneering Krautrock album Electrip on Hansa Records. Two titles appeared in 1971/72 under the shortened name Xhol. Members: Tim Belbe (tenor saxophone), Hansi Fischer (flute, soprano saxophone, alto saxophone), Gerhard Egmont “Öcki” Brevern (organ, electric piano, tuba), […]
Wallenstein was a German symphonic-rock band on Pilz that released the 1972 albums Blitzkrieg and Mother Universe. On Kosmische Musik, they released the 1973–75 albums Cosmic Century and Stories, Songs and Symphonies. In the late 1970s, they cut three albums for RCA, followed by a final pair of titles on Harvest. Members: Jürgen Dollase (keyboards, […]
Orange Peel was a German Krautrock band that released a self-titled album in 1970 on Bellaphon. They formed in 1968 and featured a then-17-year-old Curt Cress on drums. Members: Peter Bischof (vocals, percussion), Michael Winzkowski (guitar), Curt Cress (drums, percussion), Leslie Link (guitar), Heinrich “Heini” Mohn (bass), Ralph Wiltheiß (organ) Inception Orange Peel formed in […]
Murphy Blend was a German hard-rock band that released the album First Loss in 1970 on Kuckuck. Members: Wolf-Rüdiger Uhlig (organ, harpsichord, piano, vocals), Wolfgang Rumler (guitar, vocals), Andreas Scholz (bass), Achim Schmidt (drums, vocals) Inception Murphy Blend formed in Berlin in late 1969 when guitarist Wolfgang Rumler and keyboardist–composer Wolf‑Rüdiger Uhlig teamed with bassist […]
Frumpy was a German post-psychedelic soul-rock band responsible for the 1970/71 Philips titles All Will Be Changed and 2, followed by the 1972 Vertigo release By the Way. Three members regrouped in Atlantis, which made four albums before singer Inga Rumpf launched her solo career. Members: Inga Rumpf (lead vocals, percussion, guitar), Carsten Bohn (drums, […]
Munju was a German jazz-rock band that released the 1977 album Highspeed Kindergarten on April Records, followed by the 1979/80 Schneeball titles Moon You and Brot & Spiele. They reemerged in 1984 with Le Perfectionniste, a new-wave-influenced album on Ixthuluh/Exil. Members: Wolfgang Salomon (bass, keyboards), Thomas Römer (drums, trumpet), Dieter Kaudel (guitar, vibraphone, oud, 1976-86), […]
Electric Sun was a German hard-rock/psych trio headed by ex-Scorpions guitarist Uli Jon Roth. They made the 1979–81 Brain albums Earthquake and Fire Wind. Roth reconfigured the band with original Jethro Tull drummer Clive Bunker for the 1985 EMI release Beyond the Astral Skies. Members: Uli Jon Roth (vocals, guitar), Ule W. Ritgen (bass), Clive […]
Kraan is a German jazz-rock/funk band that released eight studio albums and a live double-LP between 1972 and 1982. Members: Hellmut Hattler (bass), Jan Fride (drums), Peter Wolbrandt (guitar), Johannes Pappert (saxophone, 1970-76), Ingo Bischof (keyboards, 1975-2007), Tommy Goldschmidt (drums, 1977), Udo Dahmen (drums, 1977-80), Gerry Brown (drums, 1982-83), Mark McMillen (keyboards, vocals, 1982-83), Eef […]
Triumvirat was a German symphonic-rock band that released seven albums between 1972 and 1980 on Harvest. Amid numerous lineup changes, keyboardist Jürgen Fritz was the one constant member. Members: Jürgen Fritz (piano, keyboards), Hans Bathelt (drums, percussion, 1969-76), Werner Frangenberg (bass, 1969-70, 1975-76), Hans Pape (bass, vocals, 1970-74), Helmut Koellen (bass, guitar, vocals, 1974-75), Doug […]
Nine Days’ Wonder were a German Krautrock band active from 1970 to 1976 with four albums on Bacillus that trace a path from episodic jazz-rock to theatrical glam-tinged concept work. Their 1971 debut features saxophonist John Earle on the multi-part “Fermillion,” while 1973’s We Never Lost Control introduces keyboardist Freddie Münster and percussion-heavy cuts like […]
Palais Schaumburg was a German NDW band that released six singles and the 1981–84 Phonogram albums Palais Schaumburg, Lupa, and Parlez-vous Schaumburg? Members: Holger Hiller (vocals, synthesizer, 1980-82), Thomas Fehlmann (synthesizer, trumpet), Timo Blunck (trumpet, bass, vocals, 1980-82), Chris Lunch (bass, 1980), FM Einheit (drums, 1980-81), Stefan Bauer (vibraphone, piano, 1982), Moritz von Oswald (percussion, […]
Aera was a German jazz-rock band that cut the 1975–79 Erlkönig titles Humanum est, Hand und Fuß, and Türkis, followed by the 1981–82 Spiegelei titles Too Much and Akataki. Decades later, their 1973-era material appeared on the archival disc Mechelwind. Members: Muck Groh (guitar, 1972-76), Heinz Schmitt (guitar, 1972), Davy Crocket (bass, 1972), Martin Roscoe […]
Thirsty Moon was a German jazz-rock band that released four albums on Brain between 1972 and 1976, followed by a standalone single on Boccaccio in 1977 and a final album on Sky in 1981. Members: Norbert Drogies (drums, percussion), Michael Kobs (electric piano, organ), Erwin Noack (congas, percussion), Willi Pape (soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone, clarinet, […]
Subject ESQ. was a German jazz-rock band that released a self-titled album in 1972 on Epic. They reconfigured as Sahara for two further albums during the mid-1970s. Members: Michael Hofmann (flute, alto saxophone, vocals), Alex Pittwohn (jaw harp, 12-string guitar, vocals), Harry Rosenkind (drums, percussion), Peter Stadler (keyboards), Stefan Wissnet (bass, vocals), Peter Markl (guitar, […]
Nosferatu was a German hard-rock/psych band that released a 1970 self-titled album on Vogue Schallplatten. Members: Michael “Mick” Thierfelder (vocals), Christian Felke (saxophone, flute), Michael “Mike” Kessler (bass), Reinhard “Tammy” Grohè (organ), Michael “Xner” Meixner (guitar), Byally Braumann (drums), Michael Winzkowski (guitar, 1968-70) Background Nosferatu emerged under the wing of Peter Hauke, a German rock […]
Klaus Nomi (Jan. 24, 1944 — Aug. 6, 1983) was a German singer and performance artist based in New York’s East Village. He scored club hits with “Total Eclipse” and “Falling In Love Again” from his 1981–82 RCA Victor albums Klaus Nomi and Simple Man. Background Klaus Nomi was born Klaus Sperber on January 24, […]
Sweet Smoke was a German-based jam-rock/psych band comprised of expat Americans. In 1970, they released the album Just a Poke on Columbia. After an extended stay in India, they returned with the 1973/74 Harvest titles Darkness to Light and Live. Members: Andrew Dershin (bass, percussion), Jay Dorfman (drums, percussion), Marvin Kaminowitz (lead guitar, vocals, percussion), […]
Der Plan are a German NDW trio who pioneered experimental synth-pop and dadaist electronics across six albums on Ata Tak between 1980 and 1991. They fused surreal lyricism with DIY electronics on Geri Reig (1980) and crystallized their self-styled electronic schlager on Normalette Surprise (1981). The group expanded into film soundtracks with Die letzte Rache […]
Edgar Froese (June 5, 1944 — January 20, 2015) was a German multi-instrumentalist best known as the mastermind behind electronic pioneers Tangerine Dream, which he founded in 1967 and led for nearly five decades. In 1974, he debuted as a solo artist with the album Aqua on Brain Metronome. Between 1975 and 1983, he released […]
Abacus was a German art-rock band that released the 1971/72 Polydor albums Abacus and Just a Day’s Journey Away, followed by the 1972–74 Zebra titles Everything You Need and Midway. Members: Hans Rolf Schade (guitar, percussion, sitar, vocals), Felix Hans (drums, percussion, vocals), Chris Williams (vocals, guitar), Klaus Kohlhase (bass, percussion, harmonica), Chris Barutzky (piano, […]
Twenty Sixty Six and Then were a German symphonic/hard-rock band that released the 1972 album Reflections on the Future on United Artists. Members: Geff Harrison (vocals), Gagey Mrozeck (guitar), Steve Robinson [Rainer Geyer] (keyboards, vibraphone, synthesizer, Mellotron, vocals), Veit Marvos (keyboards, vibraphone, synthesizer, Mellotron, vocals), Konstantin “Konni” Bommarius (drums), Dieter Bauer (bass) Background Twenty Sixty […]
Ashra was the solo vehicle of German electronic musician and Ash Ra Tempel mastermind Manuel Göttsching. Under the Ashra name, he made the 1976/77 albums New Age of Earth and Blackouts. He formed a trio with keyboardist Lutz Ulbrich and drummer/synthesist Harald Grosskopf for the 1979/80 Ashra albums Correlations and Belle Alliance, all on Virgin […]
Deutsch Amerikanische Freundschaft (German American Friendship, DAF) was the German NDW duo of singer Gabi Delgado and synth programmer Robert Görl. They released two indie titles, followed by the 1981/82 Virgin albums Alles ist Gut, Gold und Liebe, and Für Immer. After a three-year split, they regrouped for the 1986 release 1st Step to Heaven. […]
Brave New World was a German Krautrock band behind the 1970 single “The World’s Full of People” and the 1972 Vertigo album Impressions on Reading Aldous Huxley. Members: Dicky Tarrach (drums, percussion), Lucas Lindholm (bass, bass fiddle, organ, piano), Herb Geller (flute, cor anglais, alto saxophone, soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone, organ), Reinhart Firchow (recorder, flute, […]
Missing Link was a German jazz-rock sextet from Munich that released the 1972 album Nevergreen! on United Artists. Members: Markus Sing (guitar), Günther Latuschik (saxophone), Gabriel Dominik Mueller (vocals), Dieter Miekautsch (keyboards), Dave Schratzenstaller (bass), Holger Brandt (drums) Background Missing Link formed around the rock core of guitarist Markus Sing, bassist Dave Schratzenstaller, and drummer […]
Exmagma was a German avant-jazz/rock trio that made two 1973/74 albums, Exmagma and Goldball. Their intended 1975 third album appeared as a 21st-century archival disc. Members: Andy Goldner (guitar, bass, saxophone, tapes, vocals), Thomas Balluff (keyboards, flute, effects, vocals), Fred Braceful (drums, percussion) Background Exmagma formed when American jazz drummer Fred Braceful (b. 1938) teamed […]
Ivory was a German symphonic-rock band that released the 1979 album Sad Cypress on Jupiter Records. Members: Christian Mayer (vocals, guitar), Ulrich Sommerlatte (keyboards), Thomas Sommerlatte (keyboards), Goddie Daum (guitar), Charly Stechl (bass, flute), Frederik Rittmüller (drums), Thomas Carl (drums) Background Ivory formed in 1976 as Caressing Hands: a merger of two Munich student groups, […]
Hoelderlin was a German Krautrock band that debuted with the 1972 folk-psych album Hölderlins Traum. In 1975, the returned with a self-titled symphonic-rock album, followed by the 1976/77 albums Clowns & Clouds and Rare Birds. Keyboardist and co-founder Joachim Grumbkow led subsequent lineups through the 1979–81 albums New Faces and Fata Morgana. Members: Nanny de […]
Grobschnitt was a German symphonic space-rock band that released eight studio albums and three live sets between 1972 and 1985 on Brain. Members: Stefan Danielak (guitar, vocals), Eroc [Joachim Heinz Ehrig] (synthesizer, percussion, drums, vocals, 1972-83), Gerd Otto Kühn (guitar, vocals, 1972-89), Bernhard Uhlemann (bass, flute, percussion, 1972), Hermann Quetting (keyboards, 1972), Axel Harlos (drums, […]
Sixty-Nine was a German hard-rock/psych duo that released the album Circle of the Crayfish on Philips in 1972, followed by a live double-LP of all-new material on the label in 1974. Members: Armin Stöwe (organ, piano, synthesizer, guitar, vocals), Roland Schupp (drums, percussion) Background Sixty-Nine formed in 1969 when multi-instrumentalist Armin Stöwe teamed with drummer […]
Real Ax Band was a German jazz-funk/soul sextet that released the album Nicht Stehen Bleiben on April Records in 1977. Keyboardist Dieter Miekautsch hailed from the bands Missing Link, Missus Beastly, and Embryo. Members: Maria Archer (vocals), Dieter Miekautsch (piano, organ, vocals), Heinz-Otto Gwiasda (guitar, vocals, flute), Christopher Mache (bass, vocals), Marlon Klein (drums, congas), […]
Nektar is a German/British space-rock band that released seven studio albums and three live sets on Bacillus/Bellaphon between 1972 and 1978, followed by an eighth and final release on Ariola in 1980. Members: Roye Albrighton (guitar, vocals, 1969-76, 1980-2016), Allan Freeman (keyboards, 1969-2004), Derek Moore (bass, vocals, 1969-78, 2002-04), Ron Howden (drums, 1969-78, 2002-present), Mick […]
Mythos was a German space-rock band that made a 1972 self-titled album on Ohr. Between 1975 and 1981, they made five further albums on Kosmische Musik, Venus, and Sky Records. Members: Stephan Kaske (flute, guitar), Thomas Hildebrand (drums, percussion, 1972-77), Harald Weiße (bass, acoustic guitar, 1972-77), Robby Luizaga (bass, acoustic guitar, Mellotron, 1975), Hans-Jürgen Pütz […]
Lake was a German rock band that released eight studio albums between 1976 and 1986 on CBS and Polydor. They formed in 1973 as a brass-rock unit and cut three standalone singles. Their classic six-piece lineup coalesced with Scottish singer James Hopkins-Harrison. Produced by keyboardist/composer Detlef Petersen, they made the 1976–79 albums Lake, Lake II, […]
Emergency was a German/Czech brass-rock band that cut the 1971/72 CBS albums Emergency and Entrance, followed by the 1973/74 Brain titles Get Out to the Country and No Compromise. Members: Hanus Berka (saxophone, flute, keyboards, Mellotron), Otto Bezloja (bass, 1970-73), Udo Lindenberg (drums, 1970-71), Jiří Matoušek (keyboards, 1970-73), Barrie Newby (guitar), Miloš Vokurka [Reddy] (vocals, […]
Embryo is a German ethno-jazz/rock ensemble that debuted with the 1970 Ohr release Opal, followed by nine albums through the decade on United Artists, Brain, and April Records. During the 1980s, they released further albums on Schneeball and Materiali Sonori. Members: Christian Burchard (vibraphone, hammer dulcimer, percussion, vocals, marimba, drums, 1969-2018), Edgar Hofmann (saxophone, flute, […]
Brainstorm was a German jazz-rock band that released the 1972–73 albums Smile a While and Second Smile on Spiegelei. Members: Rainer Bodensohn (flute), Eddy von Overheidt (keyboards), Enno Dernov (bass), Roland Schaeffer (saxophone, flute, guitar, vocals), Jo Koinzer (drums, 1972-73), Horst Mittmann (drums, 1973-75), Nick Nikitakis (guitar, 1973-?), Rich Schwab (bass, vocals, percussion, 1974-76), Dieter […]
Zarathustra was a German post-psych hard-rock band that released a 1972 self-titled album on Metronome. Members: Ernst Herzner (lead vocals), Wolfgang Reimer (guitar, vocals, percussion), Michael Just (bass, vocals), Klaus Werner (organ), Wolfgang Behrmann (drums, percussion) Background Zarathustra formed in 1969 in Hamburg with a lineup of vocalist Ernst Herzner, guitarist Wolfgang Reimer, bassist Michael […]
Neuschwanstein was a German symphonic-rock band that released the 1979 album Battlement on Racket Records. Members: Thomas Neuroth (keyboards), Klaus Mayer (flute, synthesizer), Roger Weiler (guitar, 1975-?), Frederic Joos (lead vocals, acoustic guitar, 1975-?), Rainer Zimmer (vocals, bass), Hans-Peter Schwarz (drums) Background Neuschwanstein formed in 1971 in Völklingen, Saarland, when pianist Thomas Neuroth and flutist […]
Jane was a German symphonic/hard-rock band that released ten studio albums and a live double-LP on Brain between 1972 and 1982, followed by a final album on Sky Records in 1986. Members: Peter Panka (drums, percussion, vocals), Klaus Hess (guitar, vocals, Moog Taurus, 1970-83, 1992-94), Werner Nadolny (organ, ARP Solina string ensemble, Moog, piano, Mellotron, […]
Novalis was a German symphonic-rock band that debuted with the 1973 Brain release Banished Bridge. After the departure of vocalist Jürgen Wenzel, they issued five further Brain albums, peaking in popularity with the 1976/77 albums Sommerabend and Brandung. After their 1978 release Vielleicht bist du ein Clown?, they issued six further albums on assorted labels […]
Blackwater Park was a German hard-rock band behind the 1972 BASF album Dirt Box. Members: Richard Routledge (vocals, guitar), Michael Fechner (guitar), Andreas Scholz (bass), Norbert Kagelmann (drums) Background Blackwater Park formed in early 1971 in West Berlin when bassist Andreas Scholz joined guitarist Michael Fechner and drummer Norbert Kagelmann. Scholz recorded one prior album […]
Parzival was a German folk-rock band behind the 1971–73 Telefunken albums Legend and BaRock. Members: Lothar Siems (guitar, vocals), Thomas Olivier (drums), Walter Quintus (violin, bass, organ, piano), Walter von Seydlitz (cello, 1972-73) Background Parzival emerged in Bremen from the folk trio Siems/Quintus/Olivier, whose roots trace back to 1965 when guitarist Lothar Siems and drummer […]
Witthüser & Westrupp were a German acid-folk duo who issued four albums between 1970 and 1972 on Ohr and Pilz. Blending acoustic instrumentation with surreal narration and countercultural themes, they explored cosmic mysticism on Der Jesuspilz and lysergic whimsy on Trips und Träume. Their work bridged the singer-songwriter tradition with the experimental fringe of the […]
Gomorrha was a German Krautrock band behind two 1970/71 hard-rock albums, culminating with the 1972 Brain release I Turned to See Whose Voice It Was. Members: Helmut Pohl (drums), Eberhard Krietsch (bass, organ, piano, vocals), Ali Claudi (guitar, vocals), Ad Ochel (guitar, vibraphone, vocals), Peter Otten (vocals), Mike Euler (bass) Background Gomorrha formed in early […]
Scaramouche was a German art-rock band that released a self-titled album in 1981 on Ohrwurm Records. Members: Holger Funk (lead vocals), Johannes Hofmann (keyboards), Martin Hofmann (bass), Robby Stein (drums), Tommy Weber (guitar) Background Scaramouche formed in the summer of 1976 around keyboardist Johannes Hofmann (b. September 10, 1951), a classically trained teen musician from […]
Pinguin was a German sax-rock band that released the 1972 album Der Grosse Rote Vogel on Zebra. They first grouped as Talix, a psychedelic sextet behind the 1970 album Spuren. Members: Klaus Gebauer (vocals), Markus Schaub (guitar, percussion, vocals), Joe Voggenthaler (guitar, percussion), Tom Wohlert (bass, bongo), K.D Blahak (drums), Volker Plitz (organ, percussion), Elmar […]
Karthago was a German rock band formed around guitarist/vocalist Joey Albrecht and keyboardist Ingo Bischof. After the 1971/72 BASF albums Karthago and Second Step, they moved into a heavier phase on Bacillus with the 1975/76 albums Rock ’n’ Roll Testament and Live at the Roxy. Albrecht headed a final trio lineup with pianist Chico de […]
Octopus was a German symphonic-rock band fronted by Jennifer Hensel. On Sky Records, they made the 1977–79 albums The Boat of Thoughts, An Ocean of Rocks, and Rubber Angel. Post-Hansel, they cut the 1981 Rockport release Hart am Rand. Members: Claus D. Kniemeyer (bass), Pit Hensel (guitar, 1973-78), Werner Littau (keyboards, 1973-81), Jennifer Hensel (vocals, […]
Stern Meissen was a German symphonic-rock band that released seven albums between 1977 and 1987 on AMIGA. They evolved from Stern-Combo Meißen, a beat combo formed in the mid-Sixties. Members: Martin Schreier (drums, vocals), Norbert Jäger (keyboards, vocals), Bernd Fiedler (bass, 1964-80), Werner Bertram (saxophone, 1964-69), Günter Manicke (guitar, 1964-67), Gottfried Sieber (guitar, 1964-68), Dieter […]
I Drive was an English post-psych band, formed in Greater Manchester and based in Germany. They released the 1969 two-sided single “Classical Rigby” with (future Twenty Sixty Six and Then) singer Geff Harrison, followed by a 1972 eponymous album on the Krautrock label Metronome. After their breakup, guitarist–singer “Cheese” Hampson and bassist Leslie Graham carried […]
Silberbart was a German Krautrock trio behind the 1971 Philips album 4 Times Sound Razing. Members: Hans Joachim “Hajo” Teschner (guitar, vocals), Werner Klug (bass), Peter Behrens (drums) Background Silberbart (German for “Silver Beard”) formed in 1969 in Varel, Niedersachsen, when guitarist/singer Hans Joachim “Hajo” Teschner teamed with bassist Werner Klug and drummer Peter Behrens. […]
Night Sun was a German hard-rock band that released the 1972 album Mournin’ on Zebra Records. Members: Edmund Seiboth (trumpet, 1970-71), Knut Rössler (organ, piano, trumpet, bassoon, saxophone), Freddie Münster (saxophone, vocals, 1970-71), Hans Brandeis (guitar, vocals), Ulrich “Uli” Staudt (drums, 1970-73), Wolfgang Vornlocker (bass, vocals), Bruno Schaab (vocals, bass, 1971-73), Walter “Jimi” Kirchgässner (guitar, […]
Electric Sandwich was a German Krautrock band that released a 1972 album on Brain. Members: Jochen Carthaus (vocals, saxophone, harp), Jörg Ohlert (guitar, organ, Mellotron), Klaus Lormann (bass, vocals), Wolfgang Fabian (drums) Background Electric Sandwich formed in late 1969 in Bonn from a rotating pool of session players who favored spontaneous composition over rehearsed material. […]
Dzyan was a German Krautrock band that made a 1972 album on arOnda, followed by the 1973/74 Bacillus albums Time Machine and Electric Silence. Members: Reinhard Karwatky (bass, synthesizer), Jochen Leuschner (vocals, percussion, 1971-72), Gerd Bock-Ehrmann (tenor saxophone, 1971-72), Harry Krämer (guitar, 1971-72), Ludwig Braum (drums, percussion, 1971-72), Eddy Marron (guitar, saz, vocals, 1972-74), Lothar […]
Harmonia was a German Krautrock trio that released the 1974–75 albums Musik von Harmonia and Deluxe on Brain. They were a merger of Cluster and NEU! guitarist Michael Rother. In 1976, Brian Eno joined them on sessions that later appeared on the archival disc Tracks & Traces. Members: Dieter Moebius (synthesizer, guitar, electronic percussion, nagoya […]
